Window regulator



Oct. .15, 1935.

A. GUDMUNDSEN WINDOW REGULATOR Filed Jan. 25, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l will Oct. l5, 1935. A. GUDMUNDSEN WINDOW REGULATOR Filed Jan. 25, 1953 4 sheets-sheet 2 BMM w//z 5MM/M5527 Oct. 15, 1935. A. GuDMUNDsl-:N 2,017,244

WINDOW REGULATOR Filed Jan. 25, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ,IHIIlllllllllllllllll!! gg 1475? 7 '/9 Aas/m 5mm/M5527 0d. 15, 1935. A GUDMU'NDSEN V 2,017,244

l wINDow REGULATOR Filed Jan. 25, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 wAM3/i7 @Um/M5527 Patented Oct. 15, 1935 o STATES Aant OFFICE 2,017,244 WINDOW REGULATOR Application January 25, 1933, Serial No. 653,359

3 Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in window regulators and refers more particularly to window regulators appropriate for automotive vehicles and the like.

In the conventional Window regulator now in use, the side channel guides are the only means provided to prevent rattling of the glass when in its lowered or intermediate positions. This fact has necessitated a close t between the guideways and the glass pane, and inasmuch as the dimensions of the glass and also of the window openings cannot beheld to the required close limits, it has been customary to place shims in back for the channel guideways. This Work requires skilled labor and obviously adds considerably to the cost of production.

Also, inasmuch as the modern trend in automobile body design demands windows of irregular shape, that is, with the sides at angles to each other, the diiculty of preventing rattling of the window pane has been further increased.

Another disadvantage of the conventional window regulator is that the necessity for a specic location of the crank handle precludes the mounting of the regulator at its most advantageous position with reference to the weight of the glass and the range of adjustment, or requires a complicated regulator design. These disadvantages have proved objectionable to manufacturers of automobiles, and it is an object of this invention to provide a regulator of such simplied design and construction'as to entirely overcome these and other objections to existing regulators.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a regulator wherein the usual hand crank is entirely eliminated.

, Another object of this invention is to provide a regulator so designed and constructed that the 4o sired position and secured there against displacement by vibration and also rmly held against rattling.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of common means for clamping the `Window pane in any position of adjustment to prevent rattling and for locking the window pane in any position.

Another object of this invention resides in the vprovision of simple means for positively locking the window closed to preclude unauthorized opening from the outside.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a window regulator in which the weight of the glass is so balanced by one or more window pane may be readily adjusted to any desprings that the raising and lowering of the window pane may be effected by the application of force directly to the glass.

And a further object of the invention resides in the provision of novel means for connecting 5 the regulator arms and the window pane.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially 10 as hereinafter described and more particularly dened by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope pf the claims.

In vthe accompanying drawings, I have illustrated several complete examples of the physical embodiment of my invention constructed accord-l ing to the best modes I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles therezo of, andin which: 1

y Figure lis a plan View of part of an automobile door having portions broken away and illustrating the application of the regulator of this invention thereto; z5

Figure 2 is a detail view partly in section and partly in top plan taken on the plane of the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; i

Figure 3 is a cross section View taken throug Fig. 1, on the plane of the line 3-3; 30

Figure 4 is a cross section view taken through Fig. l, on the plane of the line 4 4;

Figure 5 is a detail section view through the lower edge portion of the window pane taken on the plane of the line 5 5 of Fig. 1; 3

Figure 6 is a detail view in side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 5;

Figure 7 is aview similar to Fig. 1, illustrating a modied embodiment of this invention;

Figure 8 is a cross section view taken through 40' Fig. '7 on the plane of the line 8 8; 1

Figure 9 is a cross section View similar to Fig.

3, but illustrating another manner of locking the window pane closed;

Figure 10 is a cross section view similar to Fig. 45

9, and illustrating the parts in their inoperative lposit-ion;

Figure 11 is a view looking up on the plane of line H Il in Fig. 9.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral l0 represents the glass window pane of an automobile door, mounted in any desired manner for vertical movement to and from a.

closed position. Inasmuch as the application of this invention is not limited to any particular type'of window pane installation, the window opening and the usual channel guides in which the glass pane slides have not been shown. As is customary, the glass pane I0 is mounted for vertical'movement between the inner andouter walls II and I2 respectively, of the automobile door or body.

The window sill is formed by directing the upper portions of the inner and outer walls II and I2 inwardly, as at I3 and I4, respectively. As best f illustrated in Fig. 3, the inwardly directed portions or flanges I3 and I4 terminate short of each other to aiord the necessary space through which'the glass pane moves. The sill portion formed by the flange I3 of the wall II, is reinforced by a wood cross bar I5 held in position by a downward extension I 6.0i the ange portion I3 and tongues I1 at its lower marginal edge directed outwardly to underlie the wood cross piece.

The regulator, which has been generally designated I8, is mounted from a cross panel :I9 which may be part of the inner wall II, and in the case of an automobile door, extends from one side of the door to the other. The regulator I8 counterbalances .the weight of the window glass and enables the glass to be raised and lowered without eiort, as will be hereinafter more.

`with flanges at its peripheral edges to increase its rigidity.

Pivotally mounted on the base plate are two arms 22 and 23. y The pivotal mounting of the arm 22 consists merely of a stud 24 either anchored solidly in the arm and journalled in the base plate or anchored in the base plateand journalled in the arm, and the pivotal mounting for the arm 23 comprises a stud 25 having one end fixed to the arm and its opposite end enlarged and projected beyond. the base plate in which it is journalled to alford a mounting for a counterbalancing spring 26. v

The manner of attaching the spring 26 is conventional. One end thereof is engaged in a slot 21 formed inthe stud 25 and its other end is hooked about a pin 28 `fixed to the base plate. The direction of the convolutions of the spring is such that it yieldably urges the arm 23 to a raised position. 1

To coordinate the motion of the arms 22 and 23, gear segments 29 and 30 are rigidly attached to theirv inner ends with their pitch radii concentric to the pivotallmountings 24 and 25 so as to be in mesh at all times. In this manner, the single spring 26 acts on both arms, but if desired it isreadily apparent that a second spring may be provided to operate on the arm 22.

The outer free ends of the arms., 22 and 23 are connected to the window pane, as at 3 I. The specific construction of the connection 3| is of novel design to insure maximum freedom of action. The connection embodies flanges 32 projected downwardly from the channel I 0' in which the lower edge of the window pane is rigidly secured in the customary manner. 'I'hese anges 32'have elongated slots 33 enlarged at their inner ends as at 34 to afford entrances for attaching y attached to its upper edge.v

of the slots 33 are formed as smooth guideways 10 or tracks 36v by curling inwardly the marginal edge portions of the slots.

The specific construction of the buttons 35 at the outer ends of the arms is best shown in Figs.

5 and 6. These buttons are really slide blocks 15 and consist of cylindrical blocks 3l of ber or other suitable material, having their lower portions cut away at an inclination to the axis oi' the blocks'to afford a ila-t inclined surface 38.

The diametrically opposite upper portions of the'20 blocks have a V-shaped slot 39 cut therein, the apex of which lies parallel to the plane surface 38.

Each `block of ber 31 is mounted on a stud 40 rigidly fixed to the outer end of one arm,

as at 4I, the block having a relatively loose iit 25 on the stud and being held on the stud by an enlarged head 42.

When engaged in their respective slots in the manner hereinbefore described, the blocks are held against any possible play to insure a smooth 30 sliding connection. The means for completely taking up all play consist of an expansive spring 43 coiled about the stud and confined between the adjacent end port-ion of the regulator arm and a cupped washer 44 positioned on the stud 35 with its marginal edge bearing against the flange 32. The action of the spring 43 tends to pull the block or button through the slot and by reason of the inclination of the flat surface 38, this action of the spring at all times holds the block o securely against one side of the guides 3E so that all possible play is taken up. The loose t of the block 31 on'the stud permits the same to adjust itself to any irregularities.

Actuation of the window pane is eifected by the direct application of a lifting or lowering force to the window pane. For convenience in manipulating the window pane, a handle 45 is The specific construction of this handle may be varied to suit 5o' different requirements, but it is desirable to provide a structure which will be readily accessible :hen the window is in its fully lowered position and also when the window lis in its uppermost position. The handle as illustrated in Fig. 1, 55

meets these requirements and comprises a clamp member 46 adapted to be clamped to the up'per edge of the window pane and a bail 41 hingedly connected to the clamp. The'bail 41 is so constructed that when the window pane is moved 00 now about to' be described.

At a central point, the sill portion, comprising the wood cross bar I5 and its metal sheath, 70

mounts a handle 48. The inner end of this handie` is secured to the upper end of a rod 49 journailed in a vertical bore formed in the wood cross piece I5 and extending through the top ange I3 and the adjacent tongue I1. A cross 75 pin 50 driven into a hole in the upper end of the rod t9 .and having its ends received in slots formed in an upstanding flange I on the handle serves to lock the handle to the rod. The lower end of the rod 49 is journalled in a bearing 52 carried by the base plate 20 of the regulator and is directed laterally to provide a right anguiar extension 53 for a purpose to be later described. Longitudinal shifting of the rod is precluded by the handle 48 at its top and abutments 56 on the rod in engagement with the under surface of the tongue l1.

The inner end of the handle 68 is covered by the usual nish molding 55 which encircles the Window opening, and the outer end of the handle projects through a slot 56 in the molding to permit the handle to be swung about the axis' of the rod 9.

An upstandingcylindrical ilange 51 is formed on the inner end of the handle eccentric to the axis of the rod 59, and encircling this ilange is a fiber ring 58. The peripheral edge of the ring 58 bears against the inner face of the glass upon proper actuation of the handle 68 as best illustrated in Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, the handle is shown in its position holding the ber ring against the glass.

At a point directly opposite the engagement of the ring 58 with the glass is a rubber bumper button 59. This rubber bumper is conveniently mounted in an aperture 60 formed in the downturned flange 6l on the outer wall I4. With the handle d8 moved to its unlocking position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the ring 58 is moved suiilciently far from the rubber bumper 59 to alford clearance for the glass. This unlocked condition is best illustrated in Fig. 10.

When it is desired to secure the window pane in an adjusted position, the handle H8 is swung to the left with reference to Fig. 2, to its full line position shown therein. In this position. the fiber ring bears directly against the glass pane slightly compressing the rubber bumper button 59 and holding the glass pane against rattling.

Simultaneously with the actuation of the handle carried cam to clamp the glass pane, locking means carried by the regulator mechanism is placed in its operative condition by the lower laterally directed end 53 of the rod 69. This locking means comprises a shiftable dog 63 mounted on a shelf 64 struck from the base plate 20. While the manner of mounting the dog is immaterial, it is obtained in the present instance by two rivets B5 secured to the shelf and slidable in elongated slots 66 formed in the dog.

An upright flange 61 formed on the dog and preferably overlying the adjacent face of the base plate, has a hole 6,8 for the reception of the right angularly directed lower end 53`of the rod 59, so that radial swinging movement thereof, eiected by turning of the rod, imparts movement to the locking dog. It is noted that the base plate 20 is cut away in back of the upright flange 61 to accommodate the outermost end of the lateral extension 53.

The forward operative end of the locking dog 63 is engageable in the spaces between the teeth of a gear wheel 69 rotatably mounted on the base plate and rigidly connected with a pinion 10 meshing with the segment 29 of the regulator arm 22.

Through the pinion 10, a desirable gear reduction is allorded between the gear wheel 69 and the movement of the regulator arms, so that i a comparatively large movement at the'periphery of the gear wheel represents but a small-motion on the part of the regulator arms. This permits a ne adjustment of the position of the window pane. Y'

Obviously, when the locking dog 63 is engaged with the gear wheel 69, actuation of the regulator arms and consequently the glass pane is precluded and the structure is so designed4 that when the handle 48 is swung to its position holding the ber ring against the glass pane. the locking dog 63 will be in its operative position.

To prevent the, possibility of leavingthe window pane in an unlocked position, a spring 1I is provided to yieldably urge the locking dog at all times to its operative position. This spring may be of any design, but in thepresent instance is shown as a torsion spring coiled about one of the studs mounting the base plate, and having one end engaging with the locking dog and its other end anchored to the base plate.

It will be noted that when the handle 48 is in its normal position at whichv the window pane is secured against actuation, it is slightly past dead center with respect to the eccentric clamping cam, so that a positive effort is required to move the same to its unlocking position. Rotation of the rod 49 and consequently swinging movement of the handle d8 is limited in this slightly past dead center position by the-engagement of the locking dog withthe gear wheel 69.

From the description thus far, it is seen that a single easily manipulated handle effects a positive locking of the window pane and also clamps the glass and securely holds it against rattling.

If it is desired, the locking means aorded by the engagement of the dog 63 with the gear wheel 69 may be omitted. The clamping action afforded by the ring 5B and the rubber bumper 59 is then depended upon to secure the window pane against accidental actuation. However; a positive lock against opening of the glass when in its fully closed position is aorded by directing a right angular extension 13 from the rod 49 at a polnt at which it will just pass underneath the channel I0' at the lower edge of the glass, as illustrated in Fig. 9.

In this construction, the right angular extension 13, besides affording a positive lock to secure the window in its fully closed position, serves to hold the rod 49 and the handle in a position at which the handle is slightly beyond dead center and clamping the window glass, as hereinbefore described. To this end, the extension 13 is formed of such length that its outer extremity abuts against the face of the glass pane when the handle is in its desired position just slightly beyonddead center.

The specic structure for locking the regulator arms against movement is also susceptible to modication, and in Figs. '7 and 8, another embodiment of this feature is shown. Inthis embodiment no means are shown to clamp the glass pane, but it will be readily apparent that a clamping device such as that described, may be added. However, with the structure shown in Figs. '1 and 8. actuation of the clamping device would be independent of the actuation of the holding mechanism which will now be described.

The holding mechanism consists of an elongated arm 14 pivotally mounted as at 15 from the base plate and extending upwardly to a point adjacent the cross piece I5. Here the 'arm 16 is directed laterally to afford a handle 16 which extends through a slot 11 formed in the molding 55. Also pivoted on the stud 15 is a second arm 18, the outer free end of which is provided with a locking dog 19 engageable in the spaces between the teeth on a gear wheel rotatably mounted from the base plate on a stud 8|. A pinion 82, rigid with the wheel 80, meshes with one of the gear segments to be driven thereby.

The short arm 'I8 carrying the locking dog 'I9 is yieldably urged to a position engaging the dog with the gear wheel 80 by a spring 83. This spring is conveniently coiled about the pivot stud 'l5 and has its outer ends engaged with the arms 14 and 18 as illustrated. With the arm 14 in its position illustrated in Fig. 7, the spring 83 is free to engage the dog with the gear wheel, but when the arm 14 is moved to its dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 7, an upstanding flange 84 on its inner end, by engaging the arm 18, holds the same from contact with the gear wheel as shown in dotted lines. A retaining bridge 85 provides convenient means for holding the arm 14 in either ofl its positions of adjustment. i

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it .will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, that this invention affords an exceptionally simple and practical window regulator which because it entirely eliminates the usual hand crank, y

permits mounting of the regulator at the most advantageous location with respect to the weight distribution of the window. 'I'his location is usually central between the sides of the Window pane and thus permits the use of arms of maximum length which in turn permits a more equal distribution of the force of the counterbalancing spring. Y A

In this connection,A it is desired to point out that while the spring has been defined as being of such strength as to just balance the weight of the window throughout substantially its entire movement, it may be so formed `as to impart a slight elevation tosthe window pane whenever it is released from its extreme lowermost position. With the spring so designed, the handle 45 need not project above the edge of the glass when in its lowermost position.'

What I claim as my invention is:

l1. In combination with a movable Window pane, a member'connected with the Window pane and provided with an elongated slot substantially parallelto the adjacent edge of the window pane,

a swinging arm, and means carried by the swinging arm and engageable in the elongated slot to effect a connection betweenthe arm and window pane, said means comprising a. shaft rigidly mounted on the arm and provided with af fixed abutment at a distance from the arm, a block loosely Amounted on said shaft, said block having a groove cut in one side for engagement with one edge of the elongated slot and having a flat sur- -5 face inclined with respect to the axis of the shaft for engagement with the other edge of the slot, the inclination of the at surface being such that the block is wedged securely between the edges of the slot upon the application of a pull on the shaftaway from its said xed abutment, and spring means interposed between the arm and the member having the slot to apply the yielding force onto theshaft in said direction.

2. In combination with a window pane movable past a window sill, counterbalancing mechanism beneath the window sill and connected with the window pane toV counterbalance the window pane to an extent enablingfree actuation of the Window pane to any position by the ap- 20 plication of a slight force directly on the window pane, holding means operable on said counterbalancing mechanism for holding it and consequentlyjhe window-pane against actuation in either direction at any one of many definitely 25 spaced predetermined positionsv of adjustment, including a toothed member movable with the counterbalancing mechanism, a d og slidable to and from engagement with the' teeth of said toothed member, a vertical rod journalled in the 30 window sill and connected with the dog to shift the same toward and from engagement with the vtoothed member upon rotation of said rod, and

amanually operable handle attached to the rod above the window sill to turn the same. 3

3. In combination ,with a wall having a window opening provided with a sill and a glass pane movable to and from a position closing the window opening, an upright shaft rotatable in the window sill, means for positively holding the (0. glass pane inI any adjusted position including a. l, rotatable tooth member, means connecting the toothed member with the window pane so thatthe toothed member turns upon ascent and descent of the window pane, a holding dog mov- 45 able to and from engagementwith the toothed periphery of said toothed member, a connection between the upright shaft and the dog whereby rotation of the shaft shifts the dog into and out of operative engagement with the toothed mem- 5u ber, and a handle connected with the shaft above the window sill to turn the shaft.

AUSTIN GUDMUNDs'ENg 

